Header Right

Main navigation

I’m Not For Everybody with Jessamyn Stanley

Jessamyn Stanley doesn’t fit many traditional yoga teacher stereotypes – and that is exactly what her students love about her. Authenticity is one of Jessamyn’s core values, and she is dedicated to helping her students feel more comfortable being themselves.“The rub with yoga is that it has such a stereotype of being happy and being pretty and being serene and calm. What’s lost is that that beauty and happiness and serenity and calm comes as the result of acknowledging and accepting chaos,” she says.

While her style may not fit everyone, she is okay with that. She channels her authenticity into a teaching style that benefits those who resonate with her. “I think part of my truth is to accept that I’m not for everybody and that’s okay. People being themselves is so refreshing and so comforting. That’s what I’m trying to do as a teacher.”

Embrace Authenticity

Jessamyn feels most authentic when she doesn’t have to question what she is doing. She has a unique approach to everything she does and has found authenticity to be the key to confidence and inner peace.

“To be authentic, I think it’s important not to second-guess yourself, and it’s important to not question your own judgment. To not say, ‘I should’ve been doing this years ago,’ or ‘Why wasn’t I doing this?’ That doesn’t matter because you’re doing it today. Don’t be your own worst enemy.”

Don’t Compare

Jessamyn urges others not to get caught in the trap of comparing themselves to others, or imitating what others are doing in their yoga practice and in life.

While she does draw inspiration from her peers, she emphasizes the fine line between being inspired by and idolizing someone else’s journey. “It’s not about copying someone. It’s about seeing what they’re doing and being inspired from their truth to live in your own truth. Self-worship is more important than worshiping other people.”

Be Yourself

Jessamyn embraces her unique qualities and sees them as some of her biggest strengths. “I’m very grateful that I grew up fat and black and weird and having so many people look at me, even when I thought what I was doing was normal,” she says.

Jessamyn feels most fulfilled when she can help others feel more comfortable being themselves by simply being herself.

“I’m just trying to be myself. I think that has been inspirational to other people because they eventually think, ‘So she’s being herself – I guess it’s okay for me to be myself.’”